DIY ACID FREE CARBON BATTERIES

Bizzy · February 23, 2011, 12:21:01 PM

continued...
The following is a picture of a cell using just a single wire in the granualar carbon. Just as the previous picture I used a magnesium rod. The only other differance is I removed the copper tube and used a PVC pipe to contain the carbon and water around the magnesium rod. The actual resulting voltage is 1.08 volts. The picture was taken the previous night
So I have to conclude that a larger contact area is needed to maximize voltage.
Bizzy

Bizzy · February 23, 2011, 12:23:12 PM

Quote from: b_rads on February 23, 2011, 11:45:44 AM
In early experiments, this has been a good source for the carbon. I would be interested to know if others have found another good, cost effective, high performing source for carbon.

Hi Brad
Another cheap source of carbon would be coal and just crush it yourself. Fortunately there are railraod tracks next to my hunting camp and they often spill coal along the side.
Bizzy

b_rads · February 23, 2011, 12:35:31 PM

Quote from: Bizzy on February 23, 2011, 12:13:53 PM
Good Morning
As promised here are the results of all the cells hooked in series including the cell with finely ground carbon. 7.63 volts.
I know for certain it can go higher with the ground carbon, but there are still other tests that need done and the granular carbon is easier to work with.So I am going to leave the others granular for now
Bizzy

For the ground carbon, are you crushing the coal you mentioned or crushing the carbon pellets.

Bizzy · February 23, 2011, 12:41:32 PM

Quote from: b_rads on February 23, 2011, 12:35:31 PM
For the ground carbon, are you crushing the coal you mentioned or crushing the carbon pellets.

Originally I crushed the coal until you told me about the activated carbon. The cell with the crushed carbon is from the activated carbon.
However when I I do the tests on the various dielectrics, tape, paper(coffee filter) clothe and plastic, I will use the the granualar carbon, only becuase it takes so long for teh water to settle into the crucshed carbon, and because it takes alot of time and wine

to crush the carbon.
Bizzy

Bizzy · February 23, 2011, 12:49:14 PM

fyi here is a link to my source for magnesium

http://www.rotometals.com/product-p/magnesiumextrudedrod.htm

I use the .675 diameter extrusions and they will cut it to length for you.

For copper tubing you can go to any hardware store and get 1" diameter copper tubing and the respective end caps.

The activated carbon can be purchased at any pet store that sells aquirium supplies
Bizzy